New and Experienced Climbers Over 50 #10

Guy Keesee wrote:

Lori- Tesla exists because it’s subsidized by our government and is now made in China. They can’t stand on their own merits as a good car, and some folks I talk to were more then happy to turn them in after the lease was up. 300 miles is nothing when you think about it.... you couldn’t make it across Nevada.
If you want something that will handle the rough stuff out in the desert, the toughest ones are modified Jeeps or Toyota Landcrusers, and even Lexus SUV... the ones made in the 90’s... but all modified. Off the shelf 4x4 like Jeeps -except the Grand Cherokee - are all good once you put beefy tires on them as are Toyota trucks and SUV. American ones are OK but I know people who are on their 3rd motor by the time they get to the quarter million mile point- something that Toyota can get if you take good care of it.
There are good dual- sport 4x4 SUV out there- Honda CRV, Toyota Rav 4, Subaru Outback’s, Nissan Pathfinder etc are all good for the dirt washboard roads you will find.

Good luck with the move, the next question you should be asking about after you move are these: What’s the best home defense gun? And what’s the best CCW gun for when we go looking for property?
Oh yea one more thing- pick a good cowboy/cowgirl hat. A trademark.

Guy... wait! Gun? GUN?  Who am I shooting? And why?  Are we talking something to pick off the chuckwallas with?  Or am I taking out bad guys?

A cowboy hat!  This sounds fun!  Am I going to have a climber-chick persona and a cowgirl redneck persona?  This gets good... 
TY for your thoughts on cars.  REALLY helps. 

Guy Keesee wrote: 
Lori- Tesla exists because it’s subsidized by our government and is now made in China. They can’t stand on their own merits as a good car, and some folks I talk to were more then happy to turn them in after the lease was up. 300 miles is nothing when you think about it.... you couldn’t make it across Nevada.

Curious to hear how the US Government is subsidizing Tesla. At least in a way that it's not subsidizing all the other auto industry (via providing free roads and infrastructure for cars). As far as I know all the Tesla cars are built in Fremont, CA at the old GM (and later Toyota) plant there. That was the source of their gigantic manufacturing bottleneck a while back. Like everything else, I'm sure lots of the components are built overseas including China.

I agree that while they're sexy cars there's a very short track record of any reliability and I'd be worried about owning one in the long term. 

Guy Keesee wrote:

OK... here is how you do it. Tap that little icon that’s dead center when you go to make a reply. It opens up and you get a chance to “Drop Imagine”... tap that and you get 3 options- pick “photo library” this takes you to your photos.... tap the one you wish to show... you might need to resize it down some for MP to take it. 

Let’s see some photos of the Camper Truck, now. 

Thanks for the info.  I think my settings are not allowing MP to access my photos.  Headed into no cell service till next Monday, so the truck pics are gonna have to wait.  

Guy Keesee wrote: Hi.... yesterday I made a great post and answered all Q’s and tossed in my humble opinion on Tesla and electric vehicles in general- but when I hit the “Reply” MP went all crazy and I think I crashed it!!!

The salient points:

We were racing at “Cal-Speed” a Kart track, located on the Auto Club Speedway, property.
Proper Kart tracks are normally about a mile in length, with tight turns. One of the Best ones is “Pat’s Acres” in Clackamas County- Trees, green grass about 180 degree opposite from “Fontucky” as we call it.  And “Racing in the Rain” is a good book- the movie had me crying- hard- at the end!!

Lori- Tesla exists because it’s subsidized by our government and is now made in China. They can’t stand on their own merits as a good car, and some folks I talk to were more then happy to turn them in after the lease was up. 300 miles is nothing when you think about it.... you couldn’t make it across Nevada.
If you want something that will handle the rough stuff out in the desert, the toughest ones are modified Jeeps or Toyota Landcrusers, and even Lexus SUV... the ones made in the 90’s... but all modified. Off the shelf 4x4 like Jeeps -except the Grand Cherokee - are all good once you put beefy tires on them as are Toyota trucks and SUV. American ones are OK but I know people who are on their 3rd motor by the time they get to the quarter million mile point- something that Toyota can get if you take good care of it.
There are good dual- sport 4x4 SUV out there- Honda CRV, Toyota Rav 4, Subaru Outback’s, Nissan Pathfinder etc are all good for the dirt washboard roads you will find.

Good luck with the move, the next question you should be asking about after you move are these: What’s the best home defense gun? And what’s the best CCW gun for when we go looking for property?
Oh yea one more thing- pick a good cowboy/cowgirl hat. A trademark.

And Cosmic... I can work a Hip Belay but the Grigri is best! It allows me to have my hands free to open beers, roll smokes and eat a sandwich all at the same time!!!

Hip Belay.
Save the beer and lunch for afterwards!

Lori Milas wrote:

I don’t know why this tickled me so much but I laugh every time I look at it.

Maybe it’s because I’ve been working in the bouldering room this week... on JUGS... and even so I fuck it up.   Maybe vigorously brushing the tops of the jugs on my wall would help? 

Maybe it's because I'm such a clown?

You have to stay on top of the rust if you drive old cars here.  Critical to wash it really well in the spring and then do whatever rust repair is necessary. If you stay on top of it  you can keep them on the road. If you let it get too bad your fcked. I oil undercoated it a few times when it was still newer to me. hopeing to get two more winters... but that might be pushing it...  Its a tool truck and winter driver now. Summer I have the sprinter for when I am not working.   last weekend checking out the crazy ice drinkers (after free soloing @ The lake) ..

Today was a great day at the gym... SO needed!  It just seems like I’m moving again... Ryan thinks it’s the too tight shoes that are working miracles.  I kept saying “Oh! I can actually step on this chip!” Having feet helps a lot.

 

Senor Arroz wrote:

Curious to hear how the US Government is subsidizing Tesla. ...

Since I drive a Bolt I get this a lot. Most have an issue with the $7500 federal tax credit. In Oregon I got an additional $2500 refund. 

Ken Tubbs wrote:

Since I drive a Bolt I get this a lot. Most have an issue with the $7500 federal tax credit. In Oregon I got an additional $2500 refund. 

Hilarious. As if people don't drive on subsidized roads, eat subsidized food, enjoy subsidized public lands, consume subsidized energy, etc. etc., not to mention Social Security and Medicare. What is the deal with electric cars and some people? Figuring out how to live the life you want, and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time is a worthy task.

FYI, the Tesla Model Y starts shipping in a few weeks. It looks awesome ;-)

Victor K wrote:

Hilarious. As if people don't drive on subsidized roads, eat subsidized food, enjoy subsidized public lands, consume subsidized energy, etc. etc., not to mention Social Security and Medicare. What is the deal with electric cars and some people? Figuring out how to live the life you want, and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time is a worthy task.

FYI, the Tesla Model Y starts shipping in a few weeks. It looks awesome ;-)

Just looked at it. Wow. Knowing that there is a car that uses no gas, has no emissions, is elegant and safe... how can we turn down such a car?

But I am trying to get a visual for myself in Joshua Tree.  (Actually not just cars, but home style too.) How does a little red Tesla, a cowboy hat and some kind of gun in the backseat go together?  I’m having a hard time with this being sort of a pacifist.  

Well, as they say in forums everywhere, YMMV! This will give you a chuckle.

Ken Tubbs wrote:

Since I drive a Bolt I get this a lot. Most have an issue with the $7500 federal tax credit. In Oregon I got an additional $2500 refund. 

Yeah, I got a $5,000 direct refund for State of CA  (not tax credit) off the Toyota Mirai. That's a subsidy to encourage alternative fuel and electric vehicles. Not a specific subsidy for Tesla. And, in fact, Tesla lost its federal tax credit recently because they've sold too many electric cars to qualify for it anymore. 

Lori Milas wrote: Today was a great day at the gym... SO needed!  It just seems like I’m moving again... Ryan thinks it’s the too tight shoes that are working miracles.  I kept saying “Oh! I can actually step on this chip!” Having feet helps a lot.

Cool!

Lorie. the AR 15 goes in the front seat between the  seats but  you are going to need to upgrade to a Chevy 2500 HD Diesel pickup. your pistol  rides in a fanny pack. At least that's how they do it in VT.. 

Nick Goldsmith wrote: Lorie. the AR 15 goes in the front seat between the  seats but  you are going to need to upgrade to a Chevy 2500 HD Diesel pickup. your pistol  rides in a fanny pack. At least that's how they do it in VT.. 

Oh man!  SERIOUS identity crisis going on here.  This is hippy-chic coastal girl meets Redneck cowgirl.  

All I wanna do is go climb rocks in Joshua Tree and spend my off hours learning about little flora and fauna, and tracking the cute little creatures of the desert--all totally peace and love stuff.     Maybe even attend some kind of Shakti Festival in flowing tie-dye.  (Hey Dwain!)  

But I did mention that we had a near run-in with a very mean dude driving a large white pickup... with the requisite cowboy hat... and I was wondering 'What's this guy doing here?"  Clearly, he lived there.  There is apparently also a reason not to buy a home on the North side of the Interstate... although it all looks peaceful to me.  I think I may be entering some kind of twisted Rawhide terrain... if I need an AR I better get on it soon.  

Lori Milas wrote:

Oh man!  SERIOUS identity crisis going on here.  This is hippy-chic coastal girl meets Redneck cowgirl.  

All I wanna do is go climb rocks in Joshua Tree and spend my off hours learning about little flora and fauna, and tracking the cute little creatures of the desert--all totally peace and love stuff.     Maybe even attend some kind of Shakti Festival in flowing tie-dye.  (Hey Dwain!)  

But I did mention that we had a near run-in with a very mean dude driving a large white pickup... with the requisite cowboy hat... and I was wondering 'What's this guy doing here?"  Clearly, he lived there.  There is apparently also a reason not to buy a home on the North side of the Interstate... although it all looks peaceful to me.  I think I may be entering some kind of twisted Rawhide terrain... if I need an AR I better get on it soon.  

Yep.
I've got tons of Tie-Dye.

As a side note; The BIG unveiling.

Rice: Respectfully—- we pay taxes to build roads. That’s not a subsidy.
They hand you XXX of tax money because you purchased a certain car- that’s a subsidy.
When I bought my Honda- nobody handed me money for buying one of the best cars made.
And everyone remember this- no car is emission free- the manufacturing of steel, aluminum, rubber, paints, plastics all create emissions and how is electricity made?? 
And the new Type 3 is completely manufactured in China.

But heck.

And Lori THE GUN is not used to shoot any Chuckwallas or birds- unless you’re going to eat them- it’s to give you some defense if human scum shows up uninvited at your desert home and wants to hurt you. Lots of Meth fueled crazy folks running around.
Jess saying.

Anyway- now that it’s warm outside I was able to boulder some at Stoney, it’s harder to break off the rust every year but it’s required if one wants to climb.
Late

Packing, burning and slashing today.  And for the last few MONTHS.  
Removing my business to elsewhere, and wow... there are my ropes!  
In two weeks we leave, to go house-hunt and climb in Josh for a full month.  Will we find that modest home there?  Can I sell mine here?    

It seems like an eternity away.  In fact, CLIMBING seems like such a long ago venture.  I hope I can remember.  I hope I can get back in the saddle and live the thing I have yearned for... some full-throttle uninhibited time on the rock.

Guy Keesee wrote: 

And Lori THE GUN is not used to shoot any Chuckwallas or birds- unless you’re going to eat them- it’s to give you some defense if human scum shows up uninvited at your desert home and wants to hurt you. Lots of Meth fueled crazy folks running around.
Jess saying.

Anyway- now that it’s warm outside I was able to boulder some at Stoney, it’s harder to break off the rust every year but it’s required if one wants to climb.
Late

Hmmm.  Are chuckwallas EDIBLE?  

I don't know if I ever mentioned that believe I invented a climbing move I call "The Chuckwalla".  If you are in a chimney, you suck in a BIG breath of air, and EXPAND as much as you can to fill up the space--hopefully you stick there and don't lose any ground.  

I haven't heard of it before... I think I invented it.    

Guy Keesee wrote: 
And everyone remember this- no car is emission free- the manufacturing of steel, aluminum, rubber, paints, plastics all create emissions and how is electricity made??
And the new Type 3 is completely manufactured in China.

But heck.

Then there are these things called batteries. Wonder why the Type 3 is made in China?

"There are additional environmental concerns related to those rare earth metals, like those used in the magnets of hybrid batteries. In recent years, rare earth metals like lithium have been imported almost exclusively from China, which was able to lower its prices enough to monopolize the industry. One of the reasons China could sell lithium so cheaply was because it widely ignored environmental safeguards during the mining process. In the Bayan Obo region of China, for example, miners removed topsoil and extracted the gold-flecked metals using acids that entered the groundwater, destroying nearby agricultural land. Even the normally tight-lipped Chinese government admitted that rare earth mining has been abused in some places. A regulator at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in China went so far as to tell The New York Times, "This has caused great harm to the ecology and environment"

How stuff works    ^^^^

Then there are these new laws that say you can't leave your car idling for more than two minutes, and these idiot cars that shut off the motor when you stop for more than about a second. I guess nobody told these clowns that most of the pollution coming out of today's cars is on start up.